Swiss International Airlines resumes winter flight schedule to Colombo

Senior officials of Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Tourism 

Aviation and Export Zones Development State Minister D.V. Chanaka said the commencement of operation by Swiss International Airlines between Colombo and Zurich  would help boost the tourism industry  in  Sri Lanka in the aftermath of  the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the resumption of the airline’s winter flights scheduled to Colombo would strengthen cooperation in the trade, investment, financial, educational and cultural areas between the two nations.

“We have been continuing our efforts to make sure that our airports are operated in compliance with the international standards of health and safety,” Chanaka said.

Chanaka and Swiss envoy in Colombo  Dominic Furgler were at Bandaranaike International Airport to receive the inaugural flight yesterday.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, Chanaka said the government is planning  to upgrade the aviation industry of Sri Lanka by introducing new technology and digitalising our airports to give a seamless passenger experience.
Swiss International Airlines, a member of the Lufthansa Group, resumed operations once again to Colombo yesterday.

The inaugural flight from Zurich to Colombo, LX 8064, operated by an Airbus A340, touched ground at 7:45 a.m. and was welcomed by a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, followed by a traditional Kandyan dance performance and an inaugural ceremony to welcome the guests.
Ninety-five passengers arrived on this flight.

The weekly service to Colombo every Friday, with a capacity of 314 seats, will feature 27 seats in Business Class and 287 in Economy. The economy cabin includes 70 seats with an extra recline and legroom.

The airline was scheduled to operate a twice-weekly service year-round pre-COVID pandemic. 

“Gauging from the interest demonstrated now by potential visitors to the island, we are optimistic we could revisit this plan in the not-too-distant future,” stated United Ventures Chairperson and Managing Director Parveen Dassenaike.

United Ventures is the general sales agent (GSA) for Lufthansa Group in Sri Lanka.

The distance from Zurich to Colombo is 8023 kilometres/4332 nautical miles, with an estimated flight time of nine hours and 56 minutes. Zurich serves as a convenient hub to the rest of Europe and the Americas and Swiss is offering attractive/competitive fares on its services.